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Category Archives: Ramadhaan

It was narrated on the authority of ‘Uyaynah ibn ‘Abdul-Rahmaan that his father said:

The Night of Al-Qadr was mentioned in the presence of Abu Bakrah who said, “I am not going to seek it because of something I heard from the Prophet except in the last ten days [of Ramadhaan]. I heard the Prophet say, ‘Seek it in the last nine nights, or seven nights, or five nights, or three nights or the last night.'” Abu Bakrah used to perform prayer during the first twenty nights of Ramadhaan as he would usually pray during the whole year, but when the last ten nights came, he would be extra diligent. [At-Tirmithi: Hasan Saheeh] [At-Tayaalisi, Ahmad, An-Nasaa’i, Al-Bazzaar and At-Tabaraani]

It was narrated on the authority of Mu‘aawiyah ibn Abu Sufyaan that the Prophet,, said: “Seek the Night of Al-Qadr in the last night [of Ramadhaan].” [Ibn Khuzaymah] [Al-Albaani: Saheeh]

Ibn Khuzaymah wrote a title for this Hadeeth, “Chapter: On the order to seek the Night of Al-Qadr in the last night of Ramadhaan – and it may occur in the last night in some years.“

Benefits and rulings:

First: The Night of Al-Qadr occurs in the last ten nights of Ramadhaan, most probably in the odd-numbered nights. Therefore, the Muslim should seek it throughout the ten nights.

Second: The Companions were keen to seek the Night of Al-Qadr and fill it with voluntary prayers.

Third: The Night of Al-Qadr may come in the last night in some years, since theHadeeths showed that the exact night may change.

Fourth: The Muslim should not quit praying, reciting the Quran, performing theTaraaweeh after the 27th of Ramadhaan or after the Imaam completes the recitation of the Quran in the Taraaweeh because he is supposed to be seeking the Night of Al-Qadr which may be the last night of the month.

I asked Ubayy ibn Ka‘b : “Your brother [in faith] Ibn Mas‘ood says, ‘Anyone who stands [for the supererogatory prayer every night] throughout the year will happen to witness the Night of Al-Qadr.’” He (Ubayy) said, “May Allaah have mercy upon him, he wanted to not make the people rely only on it. No doubt, he knew that it is in Ramadhaan, particularly in the last ten nights, and that it is, namely, the 27th night.” Ubayy then took an unrestricted oath (such as without saying, “Allaah willing” in it), that it was the twenty-seventh night. (The sub-narrator asked) “With what do you support that, O Abu Al-Munthir?” He said: “With the portent or the sign, of which the Messenger of Allaah told us, which is that the sun rises brightly the next day and without rays.” [Muslim]

According to another narration of this incident, he said, “The sun rises in the next morning as if it were a round tray and without rays.” [Ahmad]

According to another narration, Ubayy said, “By Allaah, Ibn Mas‘ood knew well that it (the Night of Al-Qadr) is in Ramadhaan, and that it is the twenty-seventh night. But he disliked to tell you that lest you would rely on it [and slacken to do worship at any other time].” [At-Tirmithi]

It is narrated on the authority of Mu‘aawiyah that the Prophet,, said:“The Night of Al-Qadr is the twenty-seventh night [of Ramadhaan].” [Abu Daawood]

It is further narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas that a man came to the Prophet, , and said, “O Prophet of Allaah, I am an old sick man and it is too difficult for me to stand (for supererogatory prayers every night). So, please, specify for me a particular night (to stand in prayer on), perchance Allaah would help me witness the Night of Al-Qadr on it.” On that the Prophet, , said: “I advise you [to stand in prayer on] the [twenty] seventh [night of Ramadhaan].” [Ahmad]

Benefits and rulings

First: The righteous predecessors were keen on doing what is good and knowing the seasons which have superiority over the other times so that they would give their utmost effort in worshipping in them.

Second: It is permissible for religious scholars to hide some of their knowledge if this is likely to be beneficial, such as, for example, if they believe that the people would otherwise rely on a particular thing and fall short of doing other righteous deeds.

Third: It is permissible for a Muslim to take an oath to that of which he is fully or almost certain.

Fourth: Among the signs of the Night of Al-Qadr is the rising of the sun in the next morning brightly but without rays.

Fifth: A Muslim has to devote himself to the seasons which have superiority over other times, like the last ten days of Ramadhaan in pursuit of the Night of Al-Qadr, so as to get abundant reward for little work.

Sixth: Researching scholars maintain that the Night of Al-Qadr is not fixed, and that it is most probably on the twenty-seventh night, as Ubayy took an oath to that.

Seventh: The Prophet, , told the old sick man that it was the twenty-seventh night and this does not contradict the other Hadeeths in which it is mentioned that the Night of Al-Qadr is on other nights, for the information given by the Prophet, , about that night is specific to that year in which the man asked him. It is this point of view that reconciles the different texts in that respect.

The month of Ramadhaan is the month of virtue and righteousness. Due to the virtue of its period, the deeds performed during it are also treated differently. People are more eager to be virtuous during this month than any other month of the year. There are many righteous deeds a Muslim can perform during this blessed month, and the following are some suggested deeds:

Sincerity: Allaah Says (what means): “And they were not commanded except to worship Allaah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give Zakaah. And that is the correct religion.” [Quran 98: 5]

Hastening in breaking the fast:Sahl Ibn Sa’d reported that the Prophet said: “The people will continue to be on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Breaking the fast by eating dates:Sulaymaan Ibn ‘Amr reported that the Prophet said: “If one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with dates. If dates are not available, then with water, for water is purifying. ”[At-Tirmithi]

Exerting extra effort in supplications:The Prophet said: “Three supplications are answered without doubt. The supplication of the fasting person, the supplication of the oppressed and the supplication of the traveler.” [Al-Bayhaqi].

Eating Suhoor (i.e. the pre-dawn meal):Anas reported that the Prophet said: “Eat Suhoor, as there is blessings in it”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Thanking Allaah after eating or drinking:Anas reported that the Prophet said: “Allaah is pleased with the slave who thanks Him (i.e., says Al-hamdu lillah) when he eats and thanks Him when he drinks”[Muslim]

Guarding ones tongue and remaining silent:Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet said: “Let he who believes in Allaah and the Last Day say something good or remain silent”[Muslim]. The Prophet also said: “Fasting is not to refrain from eating and drinking, rather one should neither indulge in obscene language nor should he raise his voice; and if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him, he should say: `I am fasting. I am fasting `”[Ibn Hibbaan]

Going early to the mosque and waiting for the next prayer:Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet said: “Should I not direct you to something by which Allaah obliterates the sins and elevates (your) ranks.” They said: “Yes, O Messenger of Allaah”. He said:“Performing ablution properly, even in difficulty, frequently going to the mosque, and waiting eagerly for the next prayer after a prayer is over; indeed, that is Ar-Ribaat (i.e. equivalent to its reward), indeed, that is Ar-Ribaat (guarding the front lines of the Muslim army)” [Muslim]. Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet said: “Everyone among you will be deemed to be occupied in prayer constantly so long as the prayer detains him (from worldly concerns), and nothing prevents him from returning to his family but prayer.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Spending charity:Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet said: “He who gives in charity the value of a date which he legally earned, and Allaah accepts only that which is pure, Allaah accepts it with His Right Hand and fosters it for him, as one of you fosters his pony, until it (i.e. the spent charity) becomes like a mountain”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Encouraging others to spend:Allaah Says (what means): “And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression” [Quran 5: 2]

Arranging for lectures:Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet said: “If anyone calls others to follow right guidance, his reward will be equivalent to those who follow him (in righteousness) without their reward being diminished in any respect, and if anyone invites others to follow error, the sin, will be equivalent to that of the people who follow him (in sinfulness) without their sins being diminished in any respect”[Muslim]

Performing the ‘Eed prayer:Abu Sa’eed reported: “The Prophet used to come out on the ‘Eed day after Ramadhaan, and the first thing he would do was to perform the ‘Eed prayer” [Al-Bukhaari]

These were some of the gates towards virtue that one can perform during this blessed month, so be keen to accumulate as much reward as you possibly can, because this could be the last year you witness this month. Take advantage of this chance and put forth what you would like to see on the Day of Account. Allaah Says (what means): “The Day every soul will find what it has done of good present [before it] and what it has done of evil, it will wish between itself and that [evil] was a great distance. And Allaah warns you of Himself, and Allaah is Kind to [His] slaves.”[Quran 3: 30]

It is the nature of the human soul to slacken and become bored and tired of striving, especially in the face of the temptations of life, the many pleasures of this world, and the deception of Satan. As a result, the soul becomes weak in performing obligatory duties and acts of worship; it gradually becomes less affected by them and benefits less from them. It is the wisdom and mercy of Allaah The Almighty that He has ordained for the soul all that strengthens its weakness, sharpens its determination, and increases its faith through the virtue He conferred on certain times and places. The seasons of virtue, for instance, include the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah, the 10th of Muharram, and Ramadhaan.

Fasting is a great act of worship that Allaah The Almighty made one of the pillars of Islam and prescribed upon the Muslims – not for one day or a week, but for an entire month every year.

Allaah The Almighty has made fasting an obligation in His upright religion since the times of the previous nations, and, therefore, Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.} [Quran 2:183]

Fasting is not an exclusive obligation on the Muslim Ummah (nation); it is an age-old religious duty, because of its importance and great impact on the souls of humankind. Among the benefits of fasting are:

(1) Taqwa (Piety):

Taqwa is the ultimate goal of the obligation of fasting, as Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become pious.} [Quran 2:183]

The desired outcome of fasting represents the ultimate goal of all acts of worship. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become pious.} [Quran 2:21]

The Arabic term Taqwa and the verbs derived from it mean ‘fearing Allaah The Almighty’ Who Says (what means):

· {O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul.}[Quran 4:1]

· {When their brother Nooh (Noah) said to them, “Will you not fear Allaah?} [Quran 26:106]

Nevertheless, the term Taqwa (piety) carries various meanings in the Quran. For example, it has come in the sense of faith and its testimony. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

{And He imposed upon them the word of Taqwa, and they were more deserving of it and worthy of it. And ever Is Allaah, of all things, Knowing.} [Quran 48:26]

It also means repentance, as Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

{And if only the people of the cities had believed and feared Allaah (i.e. repented to Allaah),We would have opened upon them blessings from the heaven and the earth; but they denied [the messengers], so We seized them for what they were earning.”} [Quran 7:96]

In another verse it is interpreted as sincerity, as Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

{That [is so]. And whoever honours the symbols of Allaah – indeed, it is from the piety (i.e. sincerity) of hearts.} [Quran 22:32] [Ar-Raazi in Tafseer Fat-h Al-Ghayb]

The essence of piety is that the slave knows Allaah The Almighty by His names and attributes and knows His greatness, dominance, grandeur, and power, so that he fears Him and is cautious not to fall into sin. He should know His mercy, forgiveness and countless favours, as well as what He prepared for His believing slaves. This would urge him to pursue His pleasure. A slave cannot achieve piety except by constantly obeying Allaah The Almighty, carrying out obligations, and doing many voluntary acts of worship. Piety therefore involves being cautious regarding the actions that bring about punishment, and for the observant believers, it involves caution regarding the factors that distance one from Allaah The Almighty. It is like a person walking on a road full of thorns and trying his best to avoid treading on them. ‘Umar رضى اللّهُ عنه asked Ubayy ibn Ka‘b رضى اللّهُ عنه “What is piety?” Ubayy رضى اللّهُ عنه said: “O Commander of the Believers, have you ever walked on a thorny road?” He said, “Yes.” Ubayy asked, “What did you do?” He said, “I rolled up my clothes and tried my best to avoid the thorns.” He said, “That is piety.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]

The pious person evades the thorns of the road, which are sins, misdeeds or even permissible acts that distance him from his Lord. He is always cautious. When he takes a step, he asks himself why he is taking it. When he sees a woman, he fears Allaah The Almighty and lowers his gaze. He always feels that Allaah The Almighty is watching Him; he fears Him and obeys Him in all injunctions and prohibitions wherever he is, even with regard to his food and drink.Abu Bakr رضى اللّهُ عنه had a slave who brought him his earnings. One day he brought him something to eat and when Abu Bakr رضى اللّهُ عنه had eaten some of it, the slave asked him, “Do you know where I got that (food) from?” Abu Bakr رضى اللّهُ عنه asked what it was, and the slave replied, “I did some soothsaying for a man in the pre-Islamic period, and not being good at it, I deceived him; today he met me and he rewarded me for that soothsaying with what you have eaten.” Abu Bakr رضى اللّهُ عنه put his hand in his mouth and vomited all that he had eaten. It was said to him, “May Allaah have mercy upon you! You do all this for this bite of food?” He said, “If this bite would not come out except with my soul, I would have gotten it out. I heard the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه و سلم ‘ Hell is more fitting for the body that is nourished with ill-gotten gains.’ I feared that some part of my body would grow from this bite.” Look at this splendid example of piety from this Companion despite his position in Islam, Jihaad (striving in the cause of Allaah The Almighty), Da‘wah (calling to Islam), and collection of good deeds. Nevertheless, he was not deceived by all this and he had great fear and caution.

Piety is the provision of the soul with which a person travels to his Lord and arrives unharmed and full of hope. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allaah.} [Quran 2:197]

Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, says, “Allaah commanded the pilgrims to take provisions for their travel, and not to travel without them. Then, He alerted them to the provisions required for travelling to the Hereafter, which is piety or fearing Allaah.” [Badaa’i‘ At-Tafseer, p.388]

Ibn Al-Qayyim said,“The body does not become sound except with food which replenishes its energy and with excreting wastes, toxins and bad mixtures that, if accumulated in large quantities, would spoil it. It also requires a healthy diet, which protects the body from harmful things. Similarly, the heart cannot survive except with the sustenance of faith and good deeds, which saves its energy, and with sincere repentance that removes the corrupt elements and bad manners from it, and with a healthy diet which maintains its health. Piety involves these three things, and any decrease in any of them corresponds to decrease in piety.”

The person who walks in this life without piety or fear of Allaah The Almighty often slips and Satan becomes very close to him. One may ask: What is the relationship between fasting and piety? The secret for ending the verse of fasting with piety is that the preparation of the hearts of fasting people to fear Allaah The Almighty entails many aspects. The greatest aspect is that fasting is entrusted to the soul and conscience of the fasting person. No one is watching him except Allaah The Almighty. Therefore, it is a secret between the slave and his Lord – no one knows about it but Allaah The Almighty. That is because a person can break his fast secretly without the knowledge of the people closest to him. However, the Muslim is honest in keeping his fast regardless of the experiences he has or the desires and temptations he faces. Fasting through a full month trains the Muslim on this great trait. Fasting, which involves responding to the commands of Allaah The Almighty, and relinquishing what the souls love and need without being watched by anyone other than Allaah The Almighty, instills piety in the hearts. Fasting prepares the soul of the Muslim to fear Allaah The Almighty and be conscious of Him throughout the year. What makes you conscious of Him in this month should make you conscious of Him all the year, since the Lord of all months is One, Who is watching and observing you. How great is this benefit! It is fostering piety and permanent consciousness in the souls everywhere and at any time. Is there any law that nurtures this sensitivity? This is the reason why a noble man says, “Constitutions, laws and regulations, no matter how precise and accurate, cannot shape man from within, nor can they make his conscience, his heart, his sentiment, or emotions. They only control the appearance. Fasting as an act of worship is a divine approach that awakens the conscience, revives feelings, and alerts the senses, and thus purifies life from oppression, injustice and corruption.”

Therefore, you find people in Ramadhaan with a high level of this sensitivity, which is coupled with piety and caution, and thus they ask about the ruling on swallowing one’s saliva, chewing food, and using a toothbrush. If only this sensitivity would continue after Ramadhan! For many people, when the day dawns in Ramadhaan, it brings with it God-consciousness; however, when the night comes, it disappears. Why does this happen, when our Lord for whom we fasted during the day sees us during the night as well? Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {It is the same [to Him] concerning you whether one conceals [his] speech or one publicizes it and whether one is hidden by night or conspicuous [among others] by day.} [Quran 13:10]

We are badly in need of piety that develops God-consciousness – such that the slave fears his Lord and becomes conscious of Him all the time, especially in seclusion where no one sees him. Fasting develops piety and God-consciousness in the soul. It trains us to lower our gaze when we see forbidden or tempting scenes. How can we refrain from what is prohibited if we are not raised on the principle of God-consciousness and the fear of Allaah The Almighty in secret and in public? This is what the month of Ramadhaan teaches us. A woman stands in her kitchen in front of different types of food and drink but does not eat a single bite or take a single sip! Who is watching her and prevents her? It is Allaah The Almighty.

In ablution, a Muslim rinses his mouth with water while he is fasting and no one would know if he swallows it. Who prevents him from swallowing a single drop? It is the principle of God-consciousness and the fear of Allaah The All-Knowing, The Acquainted. A Muslim is mindful of Allaah The Almighty regarding his fasting, prayers, and his children. He should be mindful of Allaah The Almighty regarding his work, and the Muslim woman should be mindful of Allaah The Almighty regarding the clothes that she wears in front of non-Mahrams (marriageable men).

Sitting in the mosque until sunrise: It was narrated that when the Prophet performed the Fajr (dawn) prayer, he sat in his prayer place until sunrise.[Muslim]

Anas narrated that the Prophet said: “Whoever performs the Fajr prayer in congregation and remains seated, remembering and mentioning Allaah until sunrise, then performs a two-Rak‘ah prayer, it will be for him as the reward of complete…complete… complete Hajj and ‘Umrah.” [Al-Albaani: Saheeh] This is the reward promised on any day, so how will it be for the days of Ramadhaan?

Dear brothers, you should have a good night’s sleep, so it can assist you in receiving this great reward. You should follow the example of the righteous predecessors and train yourself to strive to obtain the pleasure of Allaah The Almighty. You should also have a high morale to attain the highest degree in Paradise.

Performing I‘tikaaf:I‘tikaaf is an act of worship that includes many acts of obedience, such as reciting the Quran, praying, remembering Allaah The Almighty, and supplicating.

It was narrated that the Prophet observed I‘tikaaf for ten days in eachRamadhaan. But in the year of his death, he observed I‘tikaaf for twenty days.” [Al- Bukhaari]

The person who has not experienced it might think that it is difficult to bear, but it is easy for whomever Allaah The Almighty makes it easy. Thus, whoever arms himself with a righteous intention and true determination, Allaah The Almighty helps him to undertake the task with ease.

I‘tikaaf is stressed more during the last ten days of Ramadhaan for seeking Laylat-ul-Qadr. It is a permissible form of seclusion as the person observing it holds himself in seclusion out of obedience to Allaah The Almighty and His remembrance. He boycotts anything that would distract him from the observance of I‘tikaaf. His heart is set on all deeds that draw him closer to Allaah The Almighty and the only desire he has is to do what pleases Him.

Performing Umrah: It was narrated that the Prophet said: “An ‘Umrah performed in Ramadhaan is equal in reward to Hajj.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

The wording of another narration reads: “The same (reward) as performing Hajj with me.” So, congratulations to you my brother/sister (who succeeds) upon performing Hajj with the Prophet .

Praying the night prayers during the Night of Al-Qadr: Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed, We sent the Quran down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.} [Quran 97: 1-3]

The Prophet said: “Whoever stands in night prayer on Laylat-ul-Qadr with sincere faith and hope for the reward of Allaah will have his past sins forgiven.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] The Prophet used to seek Laylat-ul-Qadr and commanded his Companions also to look out for it. He used to wake up his family members during the last ten nights in the hope that they would succeed in meeting the blessed night (in worship).

‘Ubaadah narrated that the Prophet said: “Whoever stays awake in anticipation of Laylat-ul-Qadr and he succeeds in getting it, will have all of his sins both past and future forgiven.” [Ahmad and An-Nasaa’i. Al-Haafith: Saheeh]

It has been reported that some of our predecessors from among the Companions and their successors used to perform Ghusl (ritual bath) and apply perfume during the last ten nights (of Ramadhaan) in anticipation of Laylat-ul-Qadr, which has been highly honored by Allaah The Almighty.

Narrated Ibn Umar:I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “When you see the crescent (of the month of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see the crescent (of the month of Shawwal), stop fasting; and if the sky is overcast (and you can’t see It) then regard the crescent (month) of Ramadan (as of 30 days)”. [Fasting Bukhari :: Book 3 :: Volume 31 :: Hadith 124 ]

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle said, “When the month of Ramadhan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of the (Hell) Fire are closed, and the devils are chained.” [Beginning of Creation Bukhari :: Book 4 :: Volume 54 :: Hadith 497 ]

The Prophet was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel visited him, and Gabriel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet used to recite the Holy Qur’an to Gabriel, and when Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare). [Fasting Bukhari :: Book 3 :: Volume 31 :: Hadith 126 ]

The Prophet said, “None of you should fast a day or two before the month of Ramadan unless he has the habit of fasting (Nawafil) (and if his fasting coincides with that day) then he can fast that day.” [Fasting Bukhari :: Book 3 :: Volume 31 :: Hadith 138 ]